Teachers meet on East Coast to share ways to teach the TCC movements

Snow was the weather prediction for the East. This did not stop the CHI from bringing together 22 Teachers. It was the first workshop for Teachers Learning How to Teach TCC Joy Thru Movement. Sandy McAlister and Sr. Meg greeted each one on Friday afternoon, January 3, 2003. It was just the beginning of a smooth flowing weekend of learning new techniques.

By 5:00 PM Friday, enough eager teachers had arrived to get started, so Sandy led us in a practice before dinner. The chatter in the dining room bounced with excitement. Unpacking and settling in followed a good hot meal. By 7:15 PM we gathered to share stories that expressed our ups and downs with teaching TCC Joy Thru Movement.

Sandy began the process with her “Oh Good! Oh No!” story that gave everyone a laugh. Sr. Mary Griffin shared that teaching deaf children the TCC form, one must also introduce the TCC movements to the interpreter. How to handle corrections was a topic that raised many stories. To keep it light, Siobhan related how her marketing efforts began with getting her certificate framed. Suzanne connected us with the animals in her neighborhood. She had noticed that the dolphins came in as she practiced. Deer and even the chipmunk observed her movements in quiet assurance when she was practicing in the woods. We ended the evening on that quiet note to reassure us of a good night’s sleep.

Saturday morning came quickly and we had early practice before breakfast. The air was chilly but a few took the time for a quick walk around some of the beautiful 43 acres of the Center. Gathering for our 9:30 AM session, we came prepared with the topics for discussion. Alignment, stance and weight shift were the BIG THREE. Sandy showed us “hands on” waist and lower back to FEEL the opening and closing. As we tried this out, April showed us her technique that got us all on our feet and into two straight lines. We each held the person next to us to feel the movement, feel the shifting.

“New Technique #1” was a lot of fun. On to Rocking Motion and to help the students with “swing” not forced but allowing the movement. Sister Antonia spoke of a more wholistic approach to look not only at the height of the heels but why are the heels too high? Why are the toes too high? As we continued to work with each movement, we began to feel connections — heel to heel, palm to palm, finger tip to finger tip.

Sometimes we see something not just right but are unable to put words to it so Sandy showed us how she began to stand next to the student and try to do the movement as the student was doing it. This was giving Sandy the feel of what was out of sorts. “Now I can put words to what I see,” said Sandy. We continued to share our struggles and feelings with each movement until it was time for lunch.

The afternoon began at 1:45 PM with a discussion of Continuing Classes and side by side movements. We shared so many stories of how to, what works, what does not work within the various kinds of groups. Intermediate classes entered the topic list. Some teachers were using small cards with phrases that encouraged students to share the principles of TCC practice. These quotes may come from Justin’s books, articles from the Vital Force and other materials the teachers may be using. In all this sharing, many of the teachers expressed that as they taught, their own movements deepened.

Valerie found herself in the park every Sunday morning for an open door practice and it was her way of sharing the peace and comfort of nature along with her TCC practice. By 4:00 PM we needed a break and decided to tour the larger mansion on the grounds. It was an experience shared by all. Returning to our House, we did a practice before dinner. The 7:15 PM gathering gave us the opportunity to discuss Practice Partners and other stories that encouraged each of us to continue to learn — to try and use whatever works. Sister Antonia did a closing meditation and light service as night came upon us.

Sunday morning found us again at early practice, breakfast and gathering. The routine was easy, full and never without learning. As we continued sharing, Joyous Breath took hold of our feelings — not in the shoulders, not in the arms, but in the feet with some tension in the palms; relax with the tension. Reviewing Passing Clouds caught a few learning that the arms move with the waist. The connecting in the Six Healing Sounds as one flowing movement rather than a harsh, pushing, bouncing aspiration was a good discussion. Coming to the end, Sandy invited us to do Rocking Motion with gratitude for the gift of the weekend. It drew us into a tight circle for a large hug. It is not the end, but the beginning of Teachers learning how to teach TCC Joy Thru Movement.

Here are a few words from Suzanne Herbers: “The Teachers Workshop was a gift to a newly accredited teacher. The years of wisdom and experience in a warm supportive environment was wonderful.”

Carolyn Allenby wrote “Thank you Sr. Meg, Sandy and all the participants in this very special weekend. We learn so much about TCC practice by teaching. It was wonderful to hear and share wisdom, experience, techniques, challenging and inspirational moments.”

Debbie Cole wrote: “Thanks again for making such a beautiful space possible. Everything flowed so well. I wanted to share the “peom” that was written at the workshop which was inspired by the comments from Mary Griffin and her quest to better understand Joyous Breath, Siobhan Hutchinson and how we share HEART, as well as the overall feeling from the other teachers.”

transforming movements,
movements transforming

teachers caring and sharing
our common heart

our souls combining,
individuals refining

this practice that
we hold dear

our way to experience
the real, the ultimate

peace in every step.

– Debbie Cole

More Attendee Response:

. . . Just returned from a wonderful weekend hosted by Sr. Meg at the Dominican Retreat House in Philadelphia. Sandy did an excellent job in all that was presented. I was especially grateful for a breakthrough after she demonstrated Pulling Taffy in allowing the waist opening to bring the left hand under the elbow which enabled the movement to flow with no effort. Not that I hadn’t been doing that, but this insight helped me “feel it” as never before…Then in this morning’s practice, I felt the very same opening during Passing Clouds with the lower hand being brought over to the side by the open waist. Feeling it makes all the difference in the world.

I also realized that in helping to prepare students for accreditation, that every correction is ‘wholistic’…it is never a matter of trying to “fix” one part…it always stems from the whole. I can remember working with Neal Giacomelli in trying to get him to keep his back heel lower, and I reminded him about it…he worked on that heel…I even started saying: “Neal — Heel.” I was driving both of us crazy. This weekend it finally dawned on me, the heel is only one part of the whole. The heel was the symptom, but the source of the problem was in his hip. I know [Ed has] talked about this numerous times…but I finally got it! — another breakthrough! This is another example of how a student will only “get it” when s/he is ready.

It was good for Sandy to be with the 22 teachers just to get to know us and have a feel for the East Coast Teachers prior to the Accreditation in November. Everyone who attended got a lot out of these hours. The group was enthusiastic, as in all TCC teacher gatherings. . .

– Sr. Antonia Cooper

During this event, I found answers to many questions regarding teaching and renewed my love of teaching the T’ai Chi Chih form! We analyzed movements and how to convey them to students, shared stories, and experienced the power and fun of community. Sandy put no limits on sharing her knowledge, enthusiasm, and love of teaching.

Last, but not least, we allowed ourselves to be pampered by Sister Meg’s caring hospitality, ate good food, and enjoyed each other’s company, surrounded by the beauty and comfort of the Dominican Retreat House.

– Viktoria Vercelletto